2019 Contrada Chiappemacine
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Tasting notes
The Vini Franchetti 2019 Contrada C shows a sweet side with wild cherry and raspberry. Those primary notes are framed by ashy volcanic notes, crushed stone and wildflower. You also get hints of grilled rosemary and dried lavender. Compared to the other single-vineyard wines in this series, Contrada C (from the Contrada Chiappemacine at 550 meters in elevation) has a sweeter, slightly more accessible personality. But the tight tannins and streamlined fruit weight promise good aging potential. The alcohol content is high at 15%, and only 3,880 bottles were made.
Critic scores
Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Contrada Chiappemacine (C) wafts up with a dark blend of black cherries and shaved cedar in an air of ashen smoke. It’s round and soothingly textural, with cooling acidity that enlivens the mineral-tinged red berries and hints of brown spice within. This finishes with a mentholated freshness, while leaving silty tannins to linger, which also keeps the mouth watering for more. It will only require minimal cellaring to show its best. The Chiappemacine cru lies at around 550 meters in elevation with a thin layer of volcanic soils over a bed of limestone.
100% Nerello Mascalese from a 90-year-old vineyard in Contrada Chiappemacine at 550 m above sea level. Fermentation in stainless steel and aged for 18 months in large oak casks. Just mid ruby. Peppery nose of red fruit, cherry, rhubarb and raspberry with a spicy undertow and a hint of oak and tobacco leaf. Gorgeous depth and concentration on the palate and with a layer of fine-grained tannins. Real intensity on the finish. Cool-climate spirit in spite of its 15% alcohol. (WS)
About the producer
Tenuta di Passopisciaro is the Etna estate owned by Andrea Franchetti, one of Italy’s pioneering winemakers who founded the Super Tuscan estate Tenuta di Trinoro, before becoming instrumental in Mount Etna’s wine renaissance with his Passopisciaro estate.